States/UTs were urged to train 25 lakh food handlers by March 2026, including those in university, college, and hostel canteens.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting here today where States and Union Territories were urged to ramp up surveillance at popular tourist destinations to ensure heightened safety standards in preparation for the peak tourist season from November through March.
Keeping in mind the high footfall of both domestic as well as international tourists at popular destinations during the season, States/UTs were advised to utilise Food Safety on Wheels Mobile Labs at these tourist spots.
G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, FSSAI asked Food Commissioners of various states to step up surveillance on warehouses and other facilities utilised by e-commerce platforms. He also asked for SOPs to be issued for such warehouses, as well as delivery personnel of these platforms.
States/UTs were asked to increase surveillance samples and were also asked to deploy Food Safety on Wheels mobile vans for this purpose.
The committee also emphasised training Food Business Operators (FBOs) in all States/UTs under Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) to ensure food safety and hygiene for all citizens. States/UTs were urged to train 25 lakh food handlers by March 2026, including those in university, college, and hostel canteens.
The need for an integrated food safety approach was also emphasised, urging all related ministries, and stakeholders to collaborate, and encouraging States/UTs to regularly convene Advisory Committee meetings at State & District levels.